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of the Aisos River.

      “Leave the horse here,” said Bern.

      “With him, I’ll definitely have a better chance of delivering the report to your commander,” Rain replied, objecting.

      “No one will be upset if you don’t deliver it,” Bern replied with a smile. “But if you go there on horseback, you’ll attract more attention and might get ahead of the main wave, or even disappear from my sight and escape. So tie the horse there or leave it right here – makes no difference to me.”

      Rain tied the horse to the nearest post. Then he followed Bern again. When they arrived, Rain saw a wide formation of villagers on both sides of him.

      “If what your commander said is true, then we shouldn’t be here,” Rain said. “They won’t be able to return if the legions are already on the way. Maybe we won’t either.”

      Rain was deeply saddened by what he saw and realized.

      “Is the great raidarian afraid?” Bern asked. “Either way, you have no choice, you’ve already understood.”

      Rain silently looked at Bern, then turned his gaze to the forest.

      “Someone has to do it,” Bern said.

      “Lucky if even one returns,” Rain said.

      “That’s why there are so many of us.”

      Bern looked up.

      “Burning arrow! Let’s go.”

      “Well, let’s go,” Rain replied to Officer Bern.

      “You go – I’m behind you, haven’t forgotten?”

      “Yes, yes…”

      Rain walked ahead into the depths of the forest with people who had recently become scouts. When the first wave of people set off, a very small part of them stayed behind. Rain understood that they would follow a bit later but a little further away. The entire reconnaissance plan became clear to Rain as daylight. These people, along with Rain’s personal guard, would be responsible for conveying information about the reconnaissance. Those who went ahead were only meant to distract attention.

      The further the scouts ventured into the forest, the more they spread out, moving away from each other. When Rain had gone far enough, he looked back and saw a small, almost imperceptible silhouette in the distance – it was Bern. The people behind kept their distance from those in front as much as possible to avoid losing sight of each other. The scouts continued walking, occasionally bumping into each other and then separating again. The terrain gradually became more mountainous. In such conditions, those in front could hardly remain visible to those behind all the time, but closing the distance was too dangerous. Therefore, those walking behind literally followed in the footsteps of those in front. Rain walked almost without breaks. He realized that this job was hardly worth those twenty gold, especially considering it felt like a one-way road. However, this expedition helped him distract himself from thoughts about what his current life had become. So, as much as he wanted to turn around and give this knight named Bern a beating, he kept on walking.

      At some point, when Rain was almost exhausted, one of the scouts came across him again. It was a boy about fifteen years old, with unevenly cut hair, dressed in village rags. This time, the boy dared to ask Rain a question.

      – You’re a Raiderian, aren’t you?

      – What? – Rein responded.

      – Well, you’ve got that hefty sword on your back, and you look stronger than people I knew before.

      – Raiderian! – Rein replied. – That’s what they usually call us.

      – Well, yes, yes…

      – I used to be one, and now… maybe. Now I’m not sure I can still call myself that.

      – Why?

      – See the mark on my cheek? The tribunals branded me before they expelled me.

      – What are the tribunals?

      – They are warriors… who punish other warriors for their transgressions. Like royal knights or executioners? Something in between, – Rein explained.

      – It’s funny, we’re out here looking for Raiderians who want to attack us and kill, and here I am walking with almost one of them. You could easily be mistaken for one of them.

      – I don’t want to attack you. You don’t need to be afraid.

      – Yes, I understood right away that you’re on our side, especially when I saw you in the village. But it’s so strange…

      – I’m not on your side, – Rein objected.

      – Then why are you with us?

      – But I’m not on their side either. I’m for no one! I just need money.

      – For no one? For money? In the empire, did you do something for money, and that’s why they expelled you? – the boy asked, getting angry.

      – No, I wasn’t expelled for that, – Rein replied. – As for money… Sometimes people do things to survive in this world.

      – My mother and father were killed for money, – the boy said. – I don’t understand why people are so obsessed with it. If you want, you can live peacefully without it.

      – I would never kill someone for money, if that comforts you. Only to avoid being killed or to protect those who can’t defend themselves.

      – And now? Aren’t you going into battle with us, killing for money?

      – You’re incredibly naive! If we’re going somewhere now, it’s only towards death.

      – I’m going into battle, not towards death! And if you’re going to death, I’m completely confused because I don’t understand how you’re planning to get your money then.

      These words reminded Rein of the true reason for this expedition, so the boy’s words seemed to infuriate him.

      – I definitely have a better chance of facing them in battle than you do, – Rein declared. – Honestly, I don’t understand why they sent a child here.

      – I’m not a child! I’m going to fight Raiderians! Children don’t do that! Besides, you’re not much older than me!

      – They’ll just kill you… – Rein objected. – If you want to survive this day, turn around and run to your family or friends, if you still have any. What awaits us there won’t be a battle; it’ll be a slaughter!

      – Everyone says Raiderians are terrifying and bloodthirsty, scaring children as if they can’t be defeated at all, but knights defeat them. I know people have won battles against them long ago. And here you are. You don’t seem that invincible. I don’t want to be afraid. I believe I can defeat a Raiderian in a fair fight. Maybe there are none of them there at all. We’re just going to check if they are there. Maybe we’ll even reach Aeris.

      – Listen, – said Rein. – I’m serious! There’s nothing for you to do here. You won’t beat an imperial warrior. Even the weakest of them are significantly more trained than you. They start training them practically from childhood to kill. Not to mention that they are stronger than you and not clad in rags. You’re too dreamy! Run while you still can, otherwise you and your grandmother might not survive the war that’s about to begin. Once you reach the village, just find everyone who wants to live and convince them to head towards the great mountains. War definitely won’t reach there. And then you’ll have a chance to live a long and happy life.

      – I believe in myself! And our knights won’t abandon those in need. My grandmother has already headed towards the nearest bastions near Rinfoll. Thank you for your concern, but I’m not weak or a coward to just turn around like that.

      – Fine.

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